News

There’s no debate – Durham University is European number 1!

(23 March 2005)

There can be no argument. The best student debaters in Europe are from Durham University.

Erin O’Brien and Bob Nimmo saw off 120 teams from 15 countries when they talked their way to the top spot at this year’s prestigious European Debating Championships in Cork, last weekend (19-21 March).

It is the first time Durham Union Society has won an international debating championship. The duo beat partnerships from universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow, Trinity College Dublin and Haifa, Israel.

The competition was demanding. Competitors were given only fifteen minutes to prepare their argument on issues decided by the organisers. Some of this year’s topics were as varied as organ donation, Chechnya, the EU constitution, domestic violence, terrorism and landmines.

The pair are no strangers to arguing their case. They have already won two inter-university debating championships as a partnership. Australian-born Erin has previously been a semi-finalist at the Australian nationals and Bob was a semi-finalist at the 2003 European Championships and coaches Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School debating squad.

Erin, 23, also an administrator at the University, is studying for a Masters degree in Social Policy Research Methods. Bob, 22, originally from Glasgow, has a degree in bio-chemistry and is currently a philosophy student studying the ethics of stem cell research. They participate in weekly debates and also have the advantage of practising at home, as they are housemates!

The two other Durham teams only narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter finals. Thomas Ball (Law, University College) and Alistair Cormack (History/Politics, Hatfield College) represented Durham B, while Becca Gill (Politics, St Cuthbert’s Society) and Kate Hofman (Education and English, St Mary’s College) made up Durham C. Connor Coleman (Economics, University College), represented Durham as a judge at the competition.

Erin O’Brien said: “We’re absolutely delighted with our success at the European Championships which comes at the end of our debating season. The result is a wonderful testament to the hard work and support of the whole of the Durham squad, who have all performed brilliantly.”